Nike sues Lil Nas X ‘Satan Shoes’ with human blood in their soles

Nike filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in federal court on Monday against the company that released a controversial personalized version of the sportswear giant’s sneakers in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X.

The “Old Town Road” artist worked with streetwear company MSCHF to release “Satan Shoes” on Monday. The sneakers are modified Nike Air Max 97 – decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven.

MSCHF also confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that the shoes contained a drop of human blood inside the sole, from members of the MSCHF team.

The 666 pairs of modified Nikes, priced at $ 1,018 each, sold out shortly after they went on sale Monday.

Nike’s trademark infringement lawsuit against MSCHF – Lil Nas X was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit – comes after many believed he was involved in the Satan shoes, although the company released a statement over the weekend saying she had nothing to do with selling the sneakers.

The lawsuit argues that Nike must retain control of its brand “by setting the record straight” over products that bear its distinctive “SWOOSH” logo.

“In fact, there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution in the market, including calls for a boycott of Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike authorized or approved it. product, ”says the trial. .

In a statement released following the filing of the trademark infringement and dilution complaint, Nike reiterated that it is in no way affiliated with Satan Shoes.

“We don’t have more details to share on the pending legal issues,” Nike said. “However, we can tell you that we don’t have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF.”

MSCHF did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the trial.

Lil Nas X tweeted about the news with a short clip from the cartoon “Spongebob Squarepants”, where one of the characters says, “I was kidding … you know I was kidding, right?”

The release of Satan Shoes coincides with Lil Nas X’s latest single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, and accompanying music video. In the video, Lil Nas X is wowed by what appears to be the Garden of Eden, falls into hell, and gives the devil a lap dance.

The rapper, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, released a short YouTube video on Sunday titled “Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe.” While holding the sneaker, Lil Nas X starts talking – and before he comes up with the announced apology – the video cuts the music video for “Montero” of giving him a lap dance to the heck.